This post is all about the best underarm care tips to incorporate into your hygiene routine.
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Underarms can be a point of insecurity for us ladies. A lot of things can happen there. Foul body odor, ingrown hairs, skin irritation, sweat, you name it can all occur even when we properly shower every day. Suddenly the idea of raising your arms or standing too close to friends, family, or anyone for that matter sounds like a nightmare.
It can feel like a journey and a half to get your underarm routine to a point where you are super confident that your hygiene is in a good place. While washing with soap and water works for a few hours, it doesn’t cut it for a whole day.
Below are the best tips to have clean and clear underarms all day long!
Underarm Care Tips
1. Exfoliate
Exfoliating is a crucial step in any skincare routine because it gets rid of dead skin cells to reveal new fresh smooth skin. Just as you would exfoliate your face or body, don’t forget the underarms.
Taking a physical body scrub on the armpits 1-2 times per week will help to soften the skin to get rid of ingrown hairs and dark spots. Clogged pores will be significantly reduced and it even allows for a smoother shave.
2. Wear Deodorant
In order to remain smelling fresh and clean, after a shower to take on the day, apply your deodorant. Depending on your preference, if you don’t really sweat much you can opt for a natural deodorant.
On the other hand, if you do sweat or participate in activities that produce sweat like sports or working out, antiperspirants would be ideal to prevent odor-causing bacteria and underarm odor.
3. Wash Properly
While this may be an obvious tip, it should be reiterated. Assuming you put deodorant on in the mornings before you head out for the day, deodorant can be tricky to fully remove.
If it’s not completely removed it can end up causing build-up and clogged pores. To prevent this, take your loofa or preferred shower scrubber with soap or body wash and scrub your underarm skin for at least 30 seconds each.
4. Hair Removal
If you don’t like the look of underarm hair, there are 3 ways to remove it. You can use a razor with shaving cream and shave in a downward direction to prevent ingrown hairs but if you need a closer shave, gently shave in short strokes in the direction needed.
If you are looking to get rid of strawberry armpit skin, waxing or laser hair removal is your best bet. Because they both get rid of the hair strand at the root, you will be left with clear skin.
5. Change Out Your Razors
If left unchanged, your razor heads can collect bacteria and cause skin irritation. Not only that, but they will become dull preventing them from giving you a close shave, and can potentially cause razor burn in the process. Because of this, the best practice is to change out your razor heads every 5-10 uses.
6. Eat Foods That Improve Body Odor
Being aware of the foods you are intaking can really aid in your underarm care routine. A natural way to combat or prevent odor in the underarm area is to watch what you eat. Certain foods like garlic, onions, or lots of cruciferous vegetables can cause smelly skin while consuming citrus fruits like lemons and oranges help improve bad odor.
7. Carry Deodorant Wipes
If you are out all day, sometimes the deodorant application you did in the morning may not hold up all the way until night. Packing a couple of deodorant wipes in your purse is a lifesaver for the days you need to freshen up or when you are heading to happy hour after a long day at work. Since deodorant wipes are small and compact, they take up no space and are easy to travel with.
8. Moisturize
If you suffer from razor bumps, a good tip is to make sure you moisturize your underarms. When you get out of the shower after shaving, pat your armpits dry. Afterward, apply a light hydrating ph balanced moisturizer to ensure that you won’t develop razor burn. This will allow your underarms to look and feel their best.
9. See A Dermatologist
Sometimes, you have tried anything and everything under the sun but you are still left with underarm issues. That’s when it’s best to seek professional advice. You may have something going on internally or externally that needs to be addressed by a dermatologist. Reaching out to a dermatologist should get any unresolved issues sorted.
